I-40 near Silliman Evans Bridge Reduced to One Lane for Bridge Repair this Weekend

Thursday, April 04, 2013 | 06:27 am

I-40 near the Silliman Evans Bridge in Nashville Reduced to One Lane This Weekend for Bridge Repair

Nashville, Tenn. – Tennessee Department of Transportation contract crews will close the right lane of Interstate 40 westbound near downtown this weekend in order to make repairs to the Silliman Evans Bridge.

I-40 West at the I-24 split near mile marker 211 will be reduced to one lane beginning Friday, April 5th at 8:00 p.m. The lanes will reopen no later than Monday, April 8th at 6:00 a.m. The lane closures are located near the Fesslers Lane and 2nd/4th Avenue Exits.

During this weekend’s lane closures, workers will sandblast and prime the Silliman Evans Bridge. Then over the next five weekends, crews will continue working to prepare the bridge to be painted. The bridge repairs are being completed as part of an $11.3 million bridge repair and painting project. The entire project is expected to be complete in May 2013.

TDOT will use overhead and portable message boards to alert motorists of the lane closures. Motorists are advised to plan ahead and expect delays. Law enforcement officers will be on site in the work zone to provide traffic control as the work is being completed. TDOT also asks drivers to use caution, reduce their speed and be alert to changing traffic conditions in work zones across the state.

Android and iPhone users can download TDOT’s SmartWay Mobile App to assist them in navigating Tennessee highways. The app provides up-to-the-minute customized traffic information and enables the user to access TDOT’s SmartWay cameras, messages displayed on overhead Dynamic Message Signs, and information on construction related lane closures and incidents on interstates and state routes. The TDOT SmartWay App is free and available for download in the Apple App Store and Play Store for Android.

As always, drivers are reminded to use all motorist information tools wisely and Know Before You Go! by checking travel conditions before leaving for their destination. Drivers should never tweet, text or talk on a cell phone while behind the wheel.